Holmes was a philosopher and educator best known for his influential course A History of Philosophy. This course offered an in-depth survey of major philosophical movements and figures, spanning from ancient Greece to the 20th century.
Holmes emphasised the importance of understanding the historical context in which philosophical ideas developed. For him, studying the history of philosophy was essential for fully grasping the arguments and concepts of the philosophers themselves.
The course was widely praised for both its breadth and depth, and it shaped generations of students—many of whom went on to become philosophers themselves. It is still regarded as one of the best introductions to the history of philosophy.